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 The Evolving Role of NATA Certified Athletic Trainers by Joseph V. Shanley, Jr., LATC,PTA/L Industrial Athletic Trainer/Physical Therapist Assistant Occupational Health and Rehabilitation, Inc. |
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| As the role of the NATA Certified
Athletic Trainer continues to evolve, it is imperative that all who perform physical
activity have access to Certified Athletic Trainers. We now provide care to every level of
athletic competition -- no matter if they are an Olympic sprinter or a high school
freshman trying out for their first sport. The athletes know the care they receive will be
by a professional. If they become injured, a NATA Certified Athletic Trainer has the
effective tools to manage their injury. The role of the Industrial Athletic Trainer should become a part in the evolution of the profession. Why should an occupational population not benefit from what athletes have access to? There should be a place within the profession for the management, care, rehabilitation and prevention of occupational injuries. It is a great injustice to a population who cannot benefit from the skills at their disposal in the Certified Athletic Trainer. Working as part of an effective therapy team with Occupational Physicians, Physical and Occupational Therapists, Physician Assistants, Radiology Technicians and Case Managers, we are able to provide companies with success in the management of occupational injuries. Does it really matter how a person sustains an injury? It only matters that they are able to utilize all of the resources available in the care of that injury. An Athletic Trainer in a traditional setting provides effective communication to coaches, athletic directors, doctors as well as other members of the institution. The Industrial Athletic Trainer assumes a similar role: we work closely with companies, supervisors, insurance companies and case managers. We all are members of an intricate network of health care for a specific population. As Athletic Trainers, we have chosen or been called to a profession that provides care; it doesn't matter who we provide it to, only that we can provide that care.
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The opnions expressed in this article are solely those of the author, and do not necessarily reflect those of Micro Bio-Medics. |
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